Environment and human health

Publication Created 24 May 2013 Published 30 May 2013
EEA Report No 5/2013
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Human health and well‑being are intimately linked to environmental quality. This has been recognised for decades amongst policymakers in Europe, and most recently appears as a cornerstone in the European Commission's proposal for the 7th Environment Action Programme. This report, produced jointly by the European Environment Agency (EEA) and the European Commission's Joint Research Centre (JRC), outlines a number of environmental issues with a direct influence on people's health and well-being and is a follow-up and update to the 2005 EEA/JRC report.

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Exposure to traffic of children aged 3–14 years according to social status Exposure to traffic of children aged 3–14 years according to social status People of low social status can be more heavily exposed to traffic and traffic-related air pollutants than people of a higher social status.
Projected chemicals production by region (in sales) Projected chemicals production by region (in sales) Projected chemicals production by region (in sales) Baseline 2010–2050. China is included in the BRIICS data, but has also been singled out to show its share in the BRIICS projected chemical production.
PCB levels in grey seals (a), white-tailed sea eagle eggs (b), Guillemot eggs (c) and Baltic Herring (d) in the Baltic region between 1970 and 2010 PCB levels in grey seals (a), white-tailed sea eagle eggs (b), Guillemot eggs (c) and Baltic Herring (d) in the Baltic region between 1970 and 2010 The figures shows the level of PCB in A) Grey seals B) White-tailed sea eagle eggs C) Guillemot eggs D) Baltic Herring in the Baltic region between 1970 and 2010
Annual mean particulate matter (PM10) 2010, based on daily average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3 Annual mean particulate matter (PM10) 2010, based on daily average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3 The red dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the 2005 annual limit value (40 μg/m3), as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The orange dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of a statistically derived level (31 μg/m3) corresponding to the 24–hour limit value, as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The pale green dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the WHO air quality guideline for PM10 of less than 20 μg/m3 but not in exceedance of limit values as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The dark green dots indicate stations reporting concentrations below the WHO air quality guideline for PM10 and implicitly below the limit values as set out in the Air Quality Directive.
Annual mean fine particulate matter (PM2.5) 2010, based on annual average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3 Annual mean fine particulate matter (PM2.5) 2010, based on annual average with percentage of valid measurements ≥ 75 % in μg/m3 The red dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the 2010 annual target value (25 μg/m3) plus at least 5 μg/m3. The dark orange dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the 2010 annual target value (25 μg/m3), as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The orange dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the 2020 indicative annual limit value (20 μg/m3), as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The pale green dots indicate stations reporting exceedances of the WHO air quality guideline for PM2.5 of less than 10 μg/m3 but not in exceedance of target or limit values for PM2.5 as set out in the Air Quality Directive. The dark green dots indicate stations reporting concentrations below the WHO air quality guideline for PM2.5 and implicitly below the target and limit values for PM2.5 as set out in the Air Quality Directive
Twenty-sixth highest ozone 2010, based on daily running 8h max with percentage of valid measurements 75 % in μg/m3 Twenty-sixth highest ozone 2010, based on daily running 8h max with percentage of valid measurements 75 % in μg/m3 The map shows the proximity of measured O3 concentrations to the target value set in the European Union's Air Quality Directive. At sites marked with dark orange and red dots, the daily maximum 8-hour mean O3 concentration exceeds the 120 μg/m3 threshold on more than 25 days per year (the policy target is set at max. 25 days of exceedance per year, averaged over 3 years).
Potential increase of life expectancy in Lombardy (left) and Malopolska (right) by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid-fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Potential increase of life expectancy in Lombardy (left) and Malopolska (right) by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid-fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Assessing health benefits from the reduction of air pollution — the Lombardy (Italy) and Malopolska (Poland) study
Potential reduction of premature death in Lombardy (left) and Malopolska (right) by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid-fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Potential reduction of premature death in Lombardy (left) and Malopolska (right) by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid-fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Assessing health benefits from the reduction of air pollution — the Lombardy (Italy) and Malopolska (Poland) study
Potential reduction in life-time cancer risk in Lombardy and Malopolska by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Potential reduction in life-time cancer risk in Lombardy and Malopolska by abatement of inefficient residential heating with solid fuel combustion and by abatement of road transport exhaust emissions Lombardy (Italy) and Malopolska (Poland) are two highly polluted regions in Europe, where residential heating by solid fuel combustion (wood in Italy, and coal in Poland) in small appliances is still common.
Production of toxic chemicals, by toxicity class in the EU-27 (million tonnes) Production of toxic chemicals, by toxicity class in the EU-27 (million tonnes) This indicator presents the trend in aggregated production volumes of toxic chemicals, broken down into five toxicity classes: Carcinogenic, mutagenic and reprotoxic (CMR) chemicals; Chronic toxic chemicals; Very toxic chemicals; Toxic chemicals; and Harmful chemicals.
European Indoor Radon map, December 2011 European Indoor Radon map, December 2011 The map shows the indoor radon concentration averaged over 10x10 km grid cells
The estimated distribution of the daily airborne pollen concentration of ragweed in the entire ragweed pollen season in Hungary in 2011 The estimated distribution of the daily airborne pollen concentration of ragweed in the entire ragweed pollen season in Hungary in 2011 The colours on the map show the inferential distribution of the daily mean pollen concentration categories of the entire ragweed season by settlements (HAN). The level of warning resp. the 3 levels of alert are shown. The 'very high' concentration category, meaning 'worsening symptoms, in some cases with extremely high daily concentration producing serious symptoms' was very typical in the central, eastern and southern part of Hungary.
Number of people (in millions) exposed to transport noise Number of people (in millions) exposed to transport noise Exposure to environmental noise in Europe (EU-27 plus Norway and Switzerland)
Inland bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2011 Inland bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2011 The figure shows the bathing water quality in different European countries over time: 1990, 7 EU Member States; 1991 to 1994, 12 EU Member States; 1995-96, 14 EU Member States; 1997 to 2003, 15 EU Member States; 2004, 21 EU Member States; 2005-06, 25 EU Member States; 2007 to 2011, 27 EU Member States. No inland bathing waters are reported from three Member States (Cyprus, Malta and Romania). The quality classes under the New Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) are jointed with compliance categories under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).
Coastal bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2011 Coastal bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2011 The figure shows the bathing water quality in different European countries over time: 1990, 7 EU Member States; 1991 to 1994, 12 EU Member States; 1995-96, 14 EU Member States; 1997 to 2003, 15 EU Member States; 2004, 21 EU Member States; 2005-06, 25 EU Member States; 2007 to 2011, 27 EU Member States. Five Member States (Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg and Slovakia) have no coastal bathing waters. The quality classes under the New Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) are jointed with compliance categories under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).
Percentage of green and blue urban areas — share of cities per class per country Percentage of green and blue urban areas — share of cities per class per country The diagram shows the proportion of cities per country that falls in a particular class regarding the share of green and blue urban areas.
Heat waves — both a low share of green and blue urban areas and high population densities can contribute to the urban heat island effect in cities Heat waves — both a low share of green and blue urban areas and high population densities can contribute to the urban heat island effect in cities The cities are displayed as dots of different colours and sizes. The colours represent the share of green and blue urban areas inside the Urban Morphological Zone of the city, the size of the dots reflects the population density within the core cities’ UMZ. The background map is the result of climatic modelling and represents the number of combined tropical nights (T>20°C) and hot days (T>35°C) for the period 2071 to 2100.
Emission trends of selected heavy metals (EEA member countries - indexed 1990 = 100) Emission trends of selected heavy metals (EEA member countries - indexed 1990 = 100) Emission trends 1990-2009 for cadmium (Cd), mercury (Hg) and lead (Pb).
Indexed trends in air quality Indexed trends in air quality "Annual mean concentrations of air pollutants in urban areas" Indexed trend in annual mean urban air quality over the period 1997-2008 (reference year 1997). All urban and suburban background stations operational (that is at least reporting over 9 years with a yearly coverage of at least 274 days) during the period 1997-2008 are included. A general, Europe-wide averaged picture is shown, with a bias towards regions with high station density.
Oslo — quiet sanctuaries in a busy urban environment, 2010 Oslo — quiet sanctuaries in a busy urban environment, 2010 Quiet areas decided by the the city of Oslo and the connection between areas
Perceived and reported green space Perceived and reported green space In the municipality of e.g. Brussels, where there are few areas of green space, most respondents expressed satisfaction with the supply of green open space; whereas in e.g. Bratislava, where there are large areas of green open space, the level of satisfaction was much lower
Inland bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2012 Inland bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2012 The figure shows the bathing water quality in different European countries over time: 1990, 7 EU Member States; 1991 to 1994, 12 EU Member States; 1995-96, 14 EU Member States; 1997 to 2003, 15 EU Member States; 2004, 21 EU Member States; 2005-06, 25 EU Member States; 2007 to 2012, 27 EU Member States. No inland bathing waters are reported from three Member States (Cyprus, Malta and Romania). The quality classes under the New Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) are jointed with compliance categories under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).
Coastal bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2012 Coastal bathing water quality in the European Union, 1990-2012 The figure shows the bathing water quality in different European countries over time: 1990, 7 EU Member States; 1991 to 1994, 12 EU Member States; 1995-96, 14 EU Member States; 1997 to 2003, 15 EU Member States; 2004, 21 EU Member States; 2005-06, 25 EU Member States; 2007 to 2012, 27 EU Member States. Five Member States (Austria, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Luxembourg and Slovakia) have no coastal bathing waters. The quality classes under the New Bathing Water Directive (2006/7/EC) are jointed with compliance categories under the Bathing Water Directive (76/160/EEC).

News and articles

A Europe to thrive in – environment, health and well-being A Europe to thrive in – environment, health and well-being The project on Foresighted Reasoning on Environmental Stressors and Health (FRESH) ran from 2013 to 2014 and investigated the frameworks and evidence base for undertaking integrated assessments of environmental health and well-being.
Europe’s environment now healthier – but new risks emerging Europe’s environment now healthier – but new risks emerging Europeans live longer and healthier lives than in the past, partly due to successful environmental policies that have reduced the exposure to harmful environmental contaminants in air, water and food, according to a new report. However, these contaminants are still a problem, and several new health risks are emerging, for example, from new chemicals, new products and changing lifestyle patterns.
Indoor air quality Indoor air quality Many of us might spend up to 90 % of our day indoors — at home, work or school. The quality of the air we breathe indoors also has a direct impact on our health. What determines indoor air quality? Is there any difference between outdoor and indoor air pollutants? How can we improve indoor air quality?
Every breath we take Every breath we take We breathe from the moment we are born until the moment we die. It is a vital and constant need, not only for us but for all life on Earth. Poor air quality affects us all: it harms our health and the health of the environment, which leads to economic losses. But what does the air we breathe consist of and where do the various air pollutants come from?

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